Garbage bags in tourist vehicles mandatory: Sikkim government

GANGTOK: The Sikkim government has introduced a new mandate requiring all tourist vehicles entering the state to carry large garbage bags.

The announcement was made by the Sikkim tourism and civil aviation department.

This initiative aims to promote environmental sustainability across tourist destinations and encourage community involvement in achieving this objective, the department stated.

Tour operators, travel agencies, and drivers are responsible for informing tourists about the use of these bags for waste collection and disposal, according to a notification from the Sikkim tourism and civil aviation department.

The department stated that compliance with this regulation will be verified through random inspections of tourist vehicles, with penalties to be enforced on vehicles found to be non-compliant, in accordance with government regulations.

In addition, the Sikkim government also plans to conduct campaigns and clean-up events to educate tourists about proper garbage management and the significance of environmental preservation.